This course provides training for people seeking employment in the solar industry, as well as construction trade professionals who want to add solar to their businesses. Course #500 provides 40 hours of formal cumulative training and enables the student to sit for the PV Installer Certification administered by NABCEP.
The goal of this five-day accelerated PV design and installation course is to provide trainees expertise with the latest techniques that are required to install solar PV systems. This is a performance-based course designed upon job-related tasks a solar installer must perform and prepares you for entry into the solar field.
Our trainers are industry professionals with extensive real-world knowledge that is effectively relayed throughout our institute. We provide instructor-led training throughout the day over the length of the course in a distraction-free environment. Instructors are available at all times to provide individual and group attention, and ensure the students’ success.
Students will get the hands-on experience of installing grid-tied solar systems using top of the line solar equipment from Solon, Kyocera, SMA, Enphase and Unirac. Over the course of the week you will learn through a mix of classroom and solar lab work. Students will assemble and wire multiple operating solar PV electric systems.
At the completion of the course students will take a final exam. Upon obtaining a passing grade, they will receive a Solar Certificate of Completion.
5-Day Training Schedule
STI has an accelerated educational schedule that thoroughly covers all essential elements necessary for certification.
Day 1 and 2
Day 3
Day 4 and 5 |
Solar installation lecture
Solar site survey and selection
Solar lab for hands-on training |
Course Details
Who should attend: Contractors, electricians, skilled tradespersons (roofers, HVAC, carpenters, etc), and solar engineers.
Where: La Quinta Inn & Suites - LAX, 5249 W. Century Blvd, Los Angeles
What time: 9am to 5pm each day.
How much: The fee is $1,995 per person, or $1,795 if you register by Monday, February 22. Discounts are given to 2 or more people from the same company. A payment plan is available to students that qualify. Fee includes course materials.
How to Register: We offer the following options to register for this class. Class size is limited, so we recommend that you register early to guarantee a seat.
1. Online -
click on the Buy Now button below and register using a credit
card or check card. You will be redirected to our Authorize.net online payment page for a
safe, secure transaction. You will receive an email confirmation when the
transaction is complete.
2. By phone – simply call us at (408) 625-7400 and
we'll process your registration over the phone.
3. Mail a check – Send a check along with an application to 1430 Koll Circle, Suite 105, San Jose, CA
95112.
Course Details
PV Overview, Equipment, Electric Grid and Renewable Energy
- Electric Generation, Transmission, Distribution, Renewable Energy and REC’s
- Solar Energy Systems, History, Innovations and Applications
- Earth/ Sun Relationship, Solar Radiation, Insulation and Irradiation
- Electric Theory –AC vs. DC, Watts, Amps, Volts
- Solar Equipment types and Configurations
Solar Panel Components, Panels, Cells, Array, P/N Relationship, Bypass Diodes
- Inverters, Electrical, Racking and Design
- Inverters –Sizing, Types, DC/ AC Inversion and Central vs. Micro
- Electric Code, NEC 690 and Utility Requirements
- Racking Options, Mechanical Integration and Metals Interaction
- Maintenance, Trouble Shooting, Monitoring
- PV Solar System Design – Online System Sizing Tools & Google Earth
- System Sizing Grid Tied Systems and Average Sun Hours by Location
Site Survey, Sizing and Selection
- PV Module and Inverter specifications
- PV Array specifications
- Array String calculations and sizing
- BOS (Balance of System) and selection
- Voltage drop and grounding considerations
- Basic conductor calculation and sizing
- Structural Assessment, Site Preparation, and Roof Variations
- Tools –Solmetric Sun Eye, Solar Pathfinder, Calculator, Compass and Degrees of Incline
- Grid Tied PV Solar System Sizing – Online System Sizing Tools
- PV Watts and Average Sun Hours by Location
- Permitting, drawings and plan sets
Hands-on Lab
- Site preparation
- Electrical analysis and location layout
- Structural assessment and mechanical attachment
- PV mounting rails and panel attachment
- PV array conductor and grounding wire configuration and attachment
- Wire management and panel mounting
- Safety standards
- System commissioning
- Final inspection
- Maintenance and troubleshooting